Event Title
Does recycling reduce ecological impacts at the scale of a small city?
Description
In light of dire global warming predictions many communities have implemented measures to reduce ecological impacts and increase environmental sustainability. The diversion of wastes through recycling is one such measure. The City of Kamloops recently added a mandatory curbside recycling program to the existing voluntary drop off depot system. The three main objectives of the study are to determine: (1) whether overall participation in recycling has increased with the new program over the previous one (2) whether overall wastes diverted has increased with the new program over the previous one and, (3) whether overall local ecological impacts have decreased with the new program over the previous one. A stratified random sample of residents was interviewed to determine the extent of participation and waste diversion. The author determined overall local impacts by comparing ecological footprint outcomes over time.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Recycling (Waste, etc.)--Environmental aspects--British Columbia--Kamloops; Sustainable living--British Columbia--Kamloops
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Urban Geographies
Genre/Form
abstracts (summaries)
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
Kamloops (B.C.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
curbside recycling, participation, waste reduction, ecological footprint
Does recycling reduce ecological impacts at the scale of a small city?
In light of dire global warming predictions many communities have implemented measures to reduce ecological impacts and increase environmental sustainability. The diversion of wastes through recycling is one such measure. The City of Kamloops recently added a mandatory curbside recycling program to the existing voluntary drop off depot system. The three main objectives of the study are to determine: (1) whether overall participation in recycling has increased with the new program over the previous one (2) whether overall wastes diverted has increased with the new program over the previous one and, (3) whether overall local ecological impacts have decreased with the new program over the previous one. A stratified random sample of residents was interviewed to determine the extent of participation and waste diversion. The author determined overall local impacts by comparing ecological footprint outcomes over time.